I got my "Many Mamas, Many Papas" CD from Amazon today.
The CD does *not* have tracks 17-21 from the iTunes release.
I did purchase the extra songs from iTunes and they're fantastic. I recommend anyone who buys the disc to also go purchase the extra tracks--they are must-haves.
But not putting them on the CD is such a load of BS. There isn't enough room to fit all 21 tracks on the first disc, but there is MORE than enough room to put them on the second disc.
Truth be told--and I'm probably in the minority here--but I have little to no interest in the live material, I'd have rather had more studio tracks.
I don't mind paying the $3.45 to buy the extra tracks, but after buying every disc in the Varese Papa John series it would be nice to have an actual tangible copy of those tracks instead of digital downloads. Not everyone listens to iPods and MP3's. Also, what about anyone outside the US who wants to get those tracks?
Bad bad bad bad decision Varese. After doing such a fine job with the previous discs, this is really upsetting and a slap in the face to every consumer who has purchased the JP series.
I'm glad nothing like this happened with Cass's CD reissues.
I don't know if there's any more of John's material left in the vaults to be released, but if Varese does plan any future releases I really hope they don't do anything like this again.
--Kev